Business Law-- Getting a Company Off the Ground

Starting a company does not require the assistance of an expert in business law but it can make the process a little easier and give the company owner some extra peace of mind. Every day people create companies and corporations on their own, without a professional to lead the way. While some of these people are successful, it takes a lot of time to do all of the work alone, especially if they don't know all of the guidelines and procedures that apply to the situation. Here are three tasks that can be a bit easier with the help of an attorney specializing in business law.

Researching and Reserving a Trademark

A trademark is a way to distinguish you from the competition. It takes time to come up with the idea and the identifying features. A marketing specialist can handle much of this, but when it comes to reserving the name, a business law professional can help with the paperwork and ensure that everything goes smoothly. If there are any problems, he will be able to handle them right away, avoiding any delays.

This is going to cost more than handling the task on your own. Ask yourself if you have the time to do the research and fill out the paperwork. Do you know how to handle any problem or issue that may arise? For some people, investing in a professional for the initial startup is well worth it.

Creating a Partnership Agreement

Starting out a company with other people is tricky. The documents that you sign at the very beginning of the process are binding and can dictate how things will continue in the future. You want to make sure that everyone understands the partnership agreement and you want to make sure that you are protecting your finances and your rights. Before creating or signing a partnership agreement, it helps to consult with a business law expert.

While this is not mandatory, it is well worth the expense. For some, this is the foundation of the company. It determines the partners' paychecks, what happens if there are problems and how major decisions are made. You can create and sign a partnership agreement without legal counsel but you run the risk of jeopardizing your future.

Creating Legal Contracts with Employees and Customers

Once the partners are in agreement, it is time to bring in other people, including employees and customers. Each relationship will need a contract listing out responsibilities and expectations. If you do not have a working knowledge of business law, how do you know what should be included? How will you know what you can and cannot ask of a potential employee or customer? Instead of making a mistake and opening yourself up to litigation, consult with an attorney.